In connection with this week's theme of sustainable consumption, eXpression Umeå is shining the spotlight on some of the city's players who are testing new ways to make shopping greener. One of these is IKEA, which is using its Buy Back Friday campaign to encourage customers to sell old furniture back to the store.
- We want to invite our customers to shop for both their wallets and the planet - and at the same time give new life to old Ikea furniture, says Niyazi Yegen at IKEA in Umeå.
This year, IKEA wants to make Black Friday greener, and is launching the Buy Back Friday initiative. By selling your old IKEA furniture back to the store, you get a credit card - and the furniture can be resold and find a new home.
The idea this year is to create a campaign that makes Black Friday a little greener. We want to invite customers to shop for both their wallets and the planet - and give old IKEA furniture a new lease of life at the same time,says Niyazi Yegen, customer experience manager at IKEA in Umeå.
The Buy Back Friday initiative is part of IKEA's sustainability work, which aims to be climate positive by 2030. Other sustainability initiatives include designing products based on circular principles and using renewable and recycled materials, eliminating all single-use plastic products and having zero-emission home deliveries by 2025. And with over 400 department stores in 50 markets, the Swedish bear can set a standard in the furniture industry.
We can't do everything ourselves, but we have a big responsibility and can contribute with knowledge and communication. It's not least about making it easier for the consumer - making a sustainable lifestyle attractive," says Niyazi.
The Buy Back Friday offer is valid at all Ikea's Swedish stores, and consists of entering your furniture into IKEA's digital valuation tool via ikea.se, submitting the form and receiving a price offer immediately. During the promotion period, IKEA doubles the valuation for Family members, and the seller has until 28 February to return the furniture and collect their credit card.
The second-hand part of our business has been running for a long time, and we hope that it will make even more people in Umeå discover the service.The goods we buy back end up in the bargain corner, and I can already reveal that we are planning to remodel that entire part of the store, and make it a little more inspiring," says Niyazi.
IKEA currently offers 3,000 sustainable options in its range, and visitors are guided and informed via signs with a green symbol. The sustainability perspective is always present in the design process, with the goal that all products sold in 2030 will be made from either recycled or renewable materials.
The voucher is valid for 10 years, so you have plenty of time to plan your purchases. Maybe it's in the bargain corner that you'll find your next kitchen table or family sofa, says Niyazi Yegen.
FACTS
Buy Back Friday
The Buy Back Friday campaign means that IKEA buys back furniture you no longer need or need to replace. If you register during 23-29 November, IKEA Family members get double the value for used Ikea furniture, which does not need to be returned until 28 February.
- Fill in the valuation tool - you'll get an instant quote
- Bring to the department store at your convenience - until 28 February
- You get a credit card
Some examples of IKEA's efforts to 2030
- Designing products based on circular principles and from renewable and recycled materials.
- Eliminate all single-use plastic products by 2020.
- Reduce the overall carbon footprint by an average of 70% per product.
- Have zero emission home deliveries by 2025.
- Making it easier to care for and give a second life to IKEA furniture.
- Aim for 100% renewable energy (electricity, heating, cooling and other fuels) in all production.
TEXT: Jonas Pekkari
